South Africans rescued in Nepal

ANA

FILE PICTURE: Nepalese army personnel search through the rubble at the earthquake damaged Durbar Square in Kathmandu on April 28, 2015. Hundreds of thousands of Nepalis spent another night in the open on April 27 after a massive quake which killed more than 4,000, as officials warned the final toll could rise sharply once rescuers reach cut-off areas. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA

Four South Africans who had been stranded in Nepal’s Langtang reserve have walked to safety and will be transported to Kathmandu, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The Honorary Consulate to South Africa in Nepal, Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, said he was informed that the four were fine after they and about 25 other tourists who were trekking in the area walked to safety. They are expected to be taken to Kathmandu from Nuwakot where they will will meet up with the Gift of the Givers team relief team.

The four, Irma Fourie, Heinz Hochrinner, Mike Sherman, and Kate Ahrens were due to be airlifted from the nature reserve before word came that they and other tourists had managed to leave Langtang by themselves.

Large parts of Nepal was devastated by an avalanche following a massive earthquake on Saturday which left more than 5,000 dead.